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A seat for Gib
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The PDP says it has already stated that its objective is to secure a separate MEP for Gibraltar. Until that happens the PDP consider that there is a democratic deficit to the detriment of the people of Gibraltar.
There is no doubt that the MEPs from the three mainstream political parties, have served Gibraltar well. A vote for any of these is a vote for people who in the past have shown support for Gibraltar.
The issue of course does not end there and Gibraltarians will have to judge the parties on their overall commitments to Gibraltar in areas such as sovereignty, self-determination or our defence on economic, environmental or social matters of importance within the European Union.
Additionally their attitude to Gibraltar having a separate MEP is important. None of the major parties, Conservative, Labour or Liberal Democrat have so far committed themselves to allocate a separate seat for Gibraltar. ln the run-up to Thursday's election the PDP call on these parties to adopt that as official party policy.
The party adds: Glyn Ford (Labour candidate) has expressed his personal support for this but as yet it is not a Labour party commitment. Equally welcome is the inclusion by the Liberal Democrats of a Gibraltarian on their list. However given that seats are allocated to those at the top of the list only the reality is that because he is at the bottom of the list Jonathan Stagnetto stands no real chance of being elected even if all Gibraltarians voted for him. It would have been different if he had been named second on the list.
The conservatives have given firm and high profile commitments on sovereignty but have not pronounced themselves on the issue of a separate MEP for Gibraltar.
As such the PDP would ask the main political parties to go further and provide specific commitments to allocate a specific seat to Gibraltar.
In overall terms the PDP says it would call on people to turn out and vote in Thursday's elections. Matters being decided in the European Union affect us in Gibraltar so it is important that people should exercise their right to vote and influence what is decided in Europe.
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